Griffith University

In less than a decade, Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre has developed and tested a successful program of innovative music research projects in practice-based environments.

Taking contemporary realities of performance, education, communities and technology as a starting point, up to thirty complementary and often synergetic research projects are conducted simultaneously at any time.

Driven by a highly motivated staff of twenty-five artists and scholars, we annually turn over in excess of $1million in creative production, interdisciplinary work, performance, policy, consultancy, and more conventional text-based research outputs (including over a dozen major books during the past three years).

Over eighty research students who have chosen to pursue a higher degree with us –including 50 doctoral students– attest to the vibrancy of the research environment. The 'world standard' rating in the recent national research assessment exercise Excellence in Research Australia, and the recent announcement of a fourth consecutive successful Australia Research Council 'Linkage' project (marking a 100% success rate in this highly competitive scheme since 2007) constitute significant external validation.

Recognising music research and teaching as one of eight areas of excellence within Griffith University, the vice-chancellor has decided to invest in this discipline by funding the program Music, the Arts and the Asia-Pacific by contributing $1million a year to the program from 2009-2013.

This has enabled us to build on our emerging strengths in specific areas, including practice-based research, small ensembles, opera, and music and the moving image. It also facilitates refining our approach, bolstering our research productivity, and strengthening our connections in the Asia- Pacific region, as well as in Europe and America. The latter is primarily taking shape in a new and exciting five-year collaboration across five themes and institutions called Pentacon.